Equity & Inclusion

In June 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, bringing news of freedom to enslaved Black people, more than two months after the Civil War had ended and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. On Monday, June 19th, we commemorate Juneteenth, a significant milestone in American history that marks the end of slavery. 

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, holds deep cultural and historical significance. While President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Act, recognizing today as a federal holiday, Juneteenth has long been celebrated by Black communities, uniting people through calls to action and liberation alongside celebratory parades and gatherings. 

Here on our campus, the incredible Black Staff and Faculty Organization are organizing a series of events to commemorate Juneteenth. We invite you to consider how you and your teams might engage, participate, take action, and support each other’s involvement. Additionally, throughout the month, there are numerous events taking place across the Bay Area, including the highly anticipated 36th Annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival

By celebrating Black liberation, we celebrate collective liberation. Juneteenth is an opportunity for us to reflect on the historical struggles faced by Black people in this country, and to acknowledge the transformative work that still lies ahead of us.

As we commemorate this day, we share our most joyful wishes for a happy, hopeful, proud, and abundant Juneteenth to each member of our campus community.